Jamestown, Kentucky Short-Term Rental Market
Jamestown, KY STRs averaged $183/night at 50.4% occupancy in April 2026, driven by Lake Cumberland recreation demand.
Quick Answer: Jamestown, Kentucky is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 50%. average monthly revenue is $2,474. average daily rate is $183. the top operator is Evolve with 342 listings. market score is 89/100 (grade A).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Jamestown, Kentucky sits at the heart of Lake Cumberland, a 65,000-acre reservoir that draws over 4 million visitors annually and anchors the largest rental houseboat fleet in the United States. The city’s STR market reflects this outsized tourism draw: average daily rate reached $183 in April 2026 at 50.4% occupancy, producing a RevPAR of $92. Year-over-year trends are positive across all metrics: occupancy up 0.2%, ADR up 2.8%, and revenue up 3.5%.
Entire-place listings dominate at 7,991 of 8,442 active listings tracked. Private rooms add 448 listings, and shared rooms total just 3. The bedroom mix skews toward 2-bedroom units (2,489 listings), followed by 1-bedroom (2,292), 3-bedroom (2,233), 4-bedroom (859), and 5-bedroom (563).
Channel distribution shows substantial dual-platform presence: 3,945 Airbnb-only listings, 812 VRBO-only, and 3,685 on both platforms. The market’s investability score of 97.7 out of 100 is among the highest in this region, reflecting the combination of low property values, strong ADR, and consistent year-round demand from fishing, houseboating, and outdoor recreation travelers.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34% | $123 | $1,326 |
| Feb | 44% | $124 | $1,369 |
| Mar | 53% | $144 | $1,925 |
| Apr | 51% | $154 | $2,091 |
| May | 51% | $163 | $2,172 |
| Jun | 60% | $188 | $2,975 |
| Jul | 63% | $190 | $3,314 |
| Aug | 52% | $179 | $2,617 |
| Sep | 47% | $166 | $2,149 |
| Oct | 51% | $161 | $2,332 |
| Nov | 45% | $150 | $1,901 |
| Dec | 41% | $142 | $1,730 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Jamestown
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 342 | 14,368 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Green Turtle Bay Resort | 85 | 273 | ★ 4.72 |
| 3 | Lake Cumberland Resort III | 51 | 2,060 | ★ 4.71 |
| 4 | Neat Suites | 40 | 1,156 | ★ 4.80 |
| 5 | Lyric | 39 | 2,991 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Jamestown?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,292 |
| 2 bed | 2,489 |
| 3 bed | 2,233 |
| 4 bed | 859 |
| 5 bed | 563 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $186 |
| Luxury | $315 |
| Professionally Managed | $205 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,823 |
| Entire Place | $2,534 |
| House | $2,729 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 46.7% |
| vrbo | 9.6% |
| both | 43.7% |
Investment Analysis
Jamestown presents one of the most compelling yield profiles of any lakefront STR market in the US. The typical home value is $168,000 as of April 2026, while the median list price is $298,000. The gap between these figures reflects a mix of modest inland residential stock and higher-priced lakefront or marina-adjacent vacation properties that appear more prominently on listing platforms.
Annualized revenue at the April 2026 run rate is approximately $29,689 per listing ($2,474 per month times 12). Against the typical home value of $168,000, that implies a gross yield of roughly 17.7% before expenses and the 7% combined state tax burden. Even against the median list price of $298,000, the implied gross yield remains approximately 10.0%, which is exceptionally high for a lakefront market.
ADR tiers show a modest spread: all-listing average is $183, entire-home listings average $186, professionally managed properties average $205 (a 12% premium), and the luxury tier reaches $315 per night. The narrow PM premium suggests that the Lake Cumberland market rewards property quality and lakefront access more than brand management.
Houses average $2,729 per month, entire-place listings average $2,534, and apartments average $1,823. The market’s revenue growth score of 76.0 and investability score of 97.7 reflect a market that has grown steadily without the post-pandemic reversal seen in many resort destinations.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Jamestown STR bookings average a lead time of 47 days, the longest of the lake market segment. This reflects the planning behavior of anglers booking fishing trips months in advance around tournament schedules and spring opener dates, and of houseboat groups coordinating multi-day lake stays. Tournament weekends, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day are often booked 60 to 90 days out.
Average length of stay is 3.7 nights, reflecting a mix of long-weekend lake stays and occasional week-long fishing or houseboat trip companions. At 3.7 nights, operators in peak season should expect six to eight bookings per month. Minimum stay requirements of three to four nights during peak season can reduce cleaning frequency while maintaining high occupancy.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Kentucky has no statewide STR licensing framework. Regulation is delegated to cities and counties, and as of May 2026, Jamestown and Russell County have not enacted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. STRs operate openly across the lake area, particularly cabins and waterfront homes near State Dock, Jamestown Resort and Marina, and Wolf Creek Marina.
Operators are subject to Kentucky’s general tax framework. The statewide 1% transient room tax (KRS 142.400) and the 6% Kentucky sales tax apply to stays under 30 consecutive days, for a combined effective rate of 7%. Stays of 30 consecutive days or more are exempt from both taxes under House Bill 8, effective January 1, 2023. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit both taxes on behalf of hosts.
No local transient room tax has been enacted by the City of Jamestown or Russell County as of May 2026. Operators should verify business license requirements with Jamestown City Hall and the Russell County Planning and Zoning Office, as local requirements can change without statewide notice. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no night cap, and no permit cap at the local level. Enforcement is rated low. Kentucky SB 110 (introduced in 2026) proposes a statewide STR framework but has not been enacted.
Market Comparison
Jamestown’s $183 ADR is slightly below the US STR median of approximately $220, but the market more than compensates through a favorable cost basis. At 50.4% occupancy in a spring shoulder month, the market tracks near the US median of approximately 55%, with summer peaks well above it.
The investability score of 97.7 out of 100 is exceptional, placing Jamestown at the top of lake-region STR markets for return-on-investment potential. The revenue growth score of 76.0 supports a steady growth trajectory.
Evolve leads the Jamestown operator market with 342 listings, 14,368 reviews, and a 4.76 average rating. Green Turtle Bay Resort manages 85 listings with a 4.72 rating and 273 reviews. Lake Cumberland Resort III holds 51 listings with 2,060 reviews at 4.71. Neat Suites has 40 listings at 4.80, and Lyric rounds out the top five with 39 listings, 2,991 reviews, and a 4.81 rating. The top five collectively manage 557 listings across the lake area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jamestown, Kentucky
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